Drop off day (Day 8)

Today was the day that my youngest (no, he really is, by 13 minutes) left to go to the big state school two hours away from Boston. After spending the last week thinking through what he needed to pack--it's funny how much he thought was going to be supplied for him--we finally closed up the big suitcase this morning and loaded it into the backseat. His older brother--by 13 minutes--was going to come but decided the two hour ride would be too much, so it was just me, my husband, and our youngest.

My husband and I did not cry or get emotional, but it was probably clear that we were sad. Which was maybe part of why my son did not even want our help bringing his stuff into his new dorm. We did get a hug, though, so there's something.

We drove to a nearby restaurant to eat lunch (vegan and gluten-free, yay, but ridiculously over-priced, but why should they be different from every other restaurant?), then shivered in the car as we started looking for a charging station. (Fun fact: when you drive an electric car, you will lose mileage if you run the heat for too long. Not-so-fun fact: there are not enough chargers in Massachusetts.) Miraculously, we found one at a gas station rest stop (you know, the kind with the McDonald's) and sighed about the third child to fly the coop as we waited to get a respectable charge.

We are home now, enjoying the sounds of the final child at home. I swear to you, it seems like just yesterday that I brought two little bundles home to the hospital to meet their sisters. Now those sisters are gone, one nearby, the other a little bit further and engaged to be married in May. The one still at home is taking his very last class at community college this semester. He will most likely be home with us when he transfers for his Bachelor's, but it's only a matter of time before he's gone, too. 

I know, everything changes, and I appreciate that it would be horrible if they didn't. But I'm reminded today that sometimes it's useful to take a moment to appreciate things as they are, even if they are not perfect. And it doesn't hurt to be grateful when things are actually good.

Deb in the City